The Oratory Handball Tournament is one of the biggest events of the school year, with athletes showing off their abilities and teams battling for glory, bragging rights, and a plaque bearing their team’s name in Oratory Handball history. With 24 teams, the most ever in a tournament, this brings a loaded field with seniors chasing legacy, juniors looking to cement their status as the next ones up, and underclassmen hoping to shock the school. This year’s tournament is shaping up to be one of the most competitive yet.
The Following Power Rankings are based on the following:
- How far they will make it in the tournament
- Strength of team
- Bottom of the Ladder: Drawing Rub in round one is about as brutal as it gets. Despite effort and depth, Bottom of the Ladder doesn’t have the experience to survive this all-senior team, making their bottom ranking reflect their own name.
- Swift Shooters: A middle school team with speed and energy, Swift Shooters may survive briefly, but their likely round-two matchup against Final Zapata Academy caps their ceiling. Experience wins in the Thunderdome.
- Falzonians: Although led by freshman athlete Luke Falzon, a probable second-round matchup with Tea with the Queen makes a deep run extremely unlikely. They’ll fight, but experience always prevails.
- Will Mazzei’s Disciples: One of the stronger middle school teams, Will Mazzei’s Disciples could hang early with Pat Mazzei’s leadership, but against Vengeful Vectors, experience and physicality should be the difference in this matchup.
- The Handsy Men: Facing Tea with the Queen in round one is a nightmare draw. While the Handsy Men have numbers and enthusiasm, Tea’s senior-heavy roster should overpower them quickly.
- The Fisherman: An eighth-grade heavy team with chemistry from last year’s tournament, the Fisherman could sneak their way to the semi-final. Last year, I ranked Chris Fay’s squad last, and they proved me wrong by making it to the second round. This year, however, they will likely face Tock’s Scrubs in round two, an all-senior team that can easily take them down with experience and size alone. Last year I doubted them, and this year I continue to doubt, hopefully they can prove me wrong again in this year’s tournament.
- Smartest Group @ Oratory: Despite being an all-senior group, this team is likely to lose a majority of its main players due to conflicting matchups and a difficult path in the tournament. While they could defeat Joel’s Disciples, it’s very unlikely that they will.
- Mr. McCrystal’s Bald Head: Matched up with Final Zapata Academy in round one, this team faces a steep uphill battle against an all-senior squad. Even if Mr. McCrystal can carry this team to a competitive game, I doubt that Mr. McCrystal’s Bald Head can shine a path past Final Zapata Academy.
- Morgan’s Minions: Led by freshman hockey star George Morgan, Morgan and his minions face off against Tock’s Scrubs early, a senior-led team with composure and physicality. That matchup likely ends their tournament before it really gets going.
- Pork “En ‘Em”: Led by John “Pork” Keogh, Pork “En ‘Em” matches up against The Rubber Reapers, a team filled with athletes and arm strength. This should be a competitive game, but the Reapers, mainly the Keown brothers, should send Pork “En ‘Em” to the bleachers early.
- BG’s Team: BG’s team has enthusiasm, but depth and late-game execution may hold them back once they play stronger opponents like D Cubed.
- Harry Short’s Team: A well-built junior team that could compete its way to the semi-finals. However, a tough matchup against The Rubber Reapers is likely to take away any chance to make an appearance.
- Sartori’s Soldiers: Facing Joel’s Disciples in round one is unfortunate for Sartori’s Soldiers. Though this game could go either way due to their competitiveness and grit, I believe that Joel’s Disciples’ athletic edge should push them through.
- 52.2: After a disappointing performance last year as the Stock Team and, frankly, an embarrassing prediction made by me that they would make it all the way to the finals, 52.2 is rebranded and looking to push past expectations. Led by Joey DeMarco, this team, with improved offensive and defensive players, can make a push past the first round, but a difficult matchup against D Cubed is likely to send this all-senior team off on a low note.
- Vengeful Vectors: A solid sophomore group filled with athletes, the Vectors have balance but lack a takeover player on their team. They may defeat Will Mazzei’s Disciples in the first round, but facing off against Mr. Maybe’s team is no easy feat. This could go either way, but I believe Mr. Maybe will power through this competitive group of sophomores.
- The Rubber Reapers: A group of strong, physical, and disciplined sophomores, their path to the semi-finals is an easy one compared to the rest of the teams, facing off against Pork “En ‘Em” in the first round and then, likely, facing Harry Short’s team in the second round. However, facing D Cubed in the third round, a team with Mr. Daugherty and Isaiah Francis as their star players, they are likely to lose in that matchup.
- Final Zapata Academy: An all-senior team led by Derek Zapata, this group has experience and composure, allowing them to easily push past Mr. McCrystal’s Bald Head and Swift Shooters in the second round. Facing off against Joel’s Disciples in the third round is a difficult matchup, but I believe that Joel’s Disciples come away with a close victory to advance to the semi-finals.
- Joel’s Disciples: A dangerous junior team with size and confidence. Joel’s Disciples are built for tournament play and are likely to reach the semi-finals if they stay disciplined. If they end up playing D Cubed in the semi-finals, though, I believe that they will not advance further in the tournament.
- Tock’s Scrubs: Loaded with seniors, Tock’s Scrubs thrive on experience and team play. They may lack a superstar player, but they can easily win games in the tournament setting, especially playing teams like Morgan’s Minions and likely The Fisherman in the second round. However, in the third round against Maybe Gonna Win? Maybe Gonna Lose? I believe that Mr. Maybe’s squad is gonna win against Tock’s Scrubs in the third round.
- Maybe Gonna Win? Maybe Gonna Lose?: The ultimate wildcard. This team could either flame out against Vengeful Vectors or go on a deep run to the semi-finals. Their offensive and defensive consistency will ultimately decide their fate in this tournament, and I believe that they will end up making a deep run.
- D Cubed: This is the year that Mr. Daugherty’s squad finally makes their long-awaited deep run in the Oratory Handball Tournament. One of the most unpredictable teams in the tournament, D Cubed has the talent to quietly upset higher-ranked teams and could easily find themselves playing deep into the bracket. In my bracket, I have them defeating Joel’s Disciples to move on to the final round.
- Tea With the Queen: A powerful senior team with elite scoring threats. Tea with the Queen has the chance to either be the winners of this tournament or be eliminated in the third round. Unfortunately, I predict that they will lose to Brody’s Little Boys in the third round. If they win this matchup, they are likely champions of this tournament.
- Rub: Built for a deep run, the defending champs have size, leadership, and tournament experience. If they catch rhythm early with a strong win against Brody’s Little Boys in the second round, this tournament could be theirs to win once again. However, I believe that they will lose in the second round and, unfortunately, not make a deep run and not become back-to-back champions.
- Brody’s Little Boys: The second-place team from last year ranks #1 in my power rankings for this year’s tournament. Maintaining their team composition, it’s unlikely that they will have any weaknesses in their tournament run. Offensive powerhouses in Brody “King” Sheehan, Andrew Hipolit, and Devon Fernandez, playmaking specialists in Rocco Santillan and Will Kostka, and varsity hockey goaltender Thomas LaFrance in net, will lead this team to victory. Get ready for Friday when Brody’s Little Boys defeats D Cubed in the finals to become Oratory Handball Champions and leave their mark in OP Handball history!
Bracket below:
